Coastals do have the widest range. Especially for the truly resident, above barriers, there is no way that they can get "strays" into the population. My guess is that they respond to the environment, and it is so different as one moves up the coast. NorCal range is in the Redwoods, and that will be dark. I think it lightens up as os one gets up into WA. At least lots of the places I found cutts up here were more open.

Only caught Lahontans once, and have seen them a few other times. I think some of the inland cutts, like the Greenback and Colorado River, are spectacular in spawning dress. But the Paiute is probably pretty stunning, too. Note that it and the Golden are from almost alpine areas with lots of sun.